The origins and early British exploits of Dacia

As the 1950s dawned, the recently installed communist government of Romania dictated that its population of peasant farmers be sent to work in factories.

- KRIS CULMER

The industrialisation of the country was rapid - and a decade later, the ruling party decided to add vehicle manufacturing to their growing collection of heavy industries.

Recognising that Romanians lacked the required knowledge or experience to design and build a car of their own, the party sent a group of specialists abroad to learn how to make automotive electricals and set about buying a production licence for a modern family saloon from a Western manufacturer.

Between 1965 and 1967, six sent representatives to Bucharest for discussions. Britain's BMC offered its hugely successful Mini, Italy's Fiat and Alfa Romeo the retiring 1100 and new Giulia, and France's Renault and Peugeot the 10 and 204, both new. Meanwhile, America's Ford proposed a comprehensive 10-year industry-building project.

Romania's new general secretary, Nicolae Ceausescu, most fancied Renault, after the firm secretly flew out a pre-launch prototype 12 in a guarded crate for him to personally evaluate.

Alfa was particularly miffed about this, because Ceausescu announced his choice in the same week that his foreign affairs minister was visiting Italy to strike a deal for production of Giulias and Alfa buses.